A BLUEBELL Morris Minor 1000 motorcar from Box will take on some of the most famous cars from British motoring history next month at a prestigious hill climb event.

Driver Andy Cross, of Valens Terrace, will line up against ex-F1 cars, Ferraris, Jaguars, at The Chateau Impney Hill Climb, in Worcestershire, on July 9-10 - only the second time the event has run in 50 years.

The vintage car, which was invited to the event earlier this year, is run by engineering manager Mr Cross and his brother Mark who came across it more than 20 years ago and transformed it into its current quirky state.

"She is not very highly modified, to be honest – we have only really tweaked the engine, and even that is only a little one-litre engine,” said Mr Cross, who watched his brother drive at last year's event.

"I certainly hope to beat Mark’s time this year. We do have a good rivalry going – I beat him by a 100th of a second at Brands Hatch, so we do have a go at each other. I will not be doing much to Bluebell to make her faster, but we know where the corners are at now I will be studying the videos closely, although preferably not the one where he goes off and takes out the bollard.

"To be honest, we felt just privileged to be there, because you have got cars there that are breathtaking when you look at them – really old, really beautiful things. To be there with all of these other stunning cars, we never thought that would have happened. We really enjoyed it. It is a good hill as well – it is a real challenge."

Tickets for the event, which should attract 15,000 people, can be purchased online at www.chateauimpneyhillclimb.com or by calling 0845 017 0637.